Stepped-up security for the Long Island Marathon on Sunday will cost Nassau County at least $250,000 more than in previous years, County Executive Edward Mangano said Tuesday. Mangano said the expanded effort in the wake of the Boston bombings will involve county uniformed and plainclothes officers, county emergency medical and mental health officials, the State Police and volunteer fire departments....

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Stepped-up security for the Long Island Marathon on Sunday will cost Nassau County at least $250,000 more than in previous years, County Executive Edward Mangano said Tuesday.

Mangano said the expanded effort in the wake of the Boston bombings will involve county uniformed and plainclothes officers, county emergency medical and mental health officials, the State Police and volunteer fire departments.

There will be security check points and passive detection devices, and electronic signage will direct runners, spectators and volunteers, Mangano said at a news conference in Mineola.

The additional security will cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars, a minimum of a quarter of a million more than in previous years," he said.

This year, only registered participants will be allowed into the marathon, half marathon and 10K starting line area on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard on Sunday.

Marathon activities begin on Friday at 3 p.m. with a vendor expo at Mitchel Athletic Complex, followed by a pasta party at 6:30 p.m. courtesy of the Main Event Restaurant and Sports Bar. The expo is also the participant check-in site.

On Saturday, there is the 1-mile run that starts at 8 a.m., a 5K race at 8:30 a.m. and the kids fun run begins at 10:30 a.m. at Mitchel Field.

Mangano said security arrangements "are subject to change or modifications the day of the event." He urged those who are interested to check the marathon's website before heading to the event, and to check electronic message boards once there.

Mangano also noted that the Islanders hockey team is in the Stanley Cup playoffs and have a noon game scheduled at the Coliseum on Sunday. Mangano said the start of the marathon at the Meadowbrook Parkway should be concluded by 10 a.m. and at that point parkway ramps will reopen.

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